Preview video gives first look at Windows 8.1

A YouTube video starring Jensen Harris from Microsoft’s Windows Team provides users with a walk-through of some of the new features coming to Windows 8.1.

The video gives a better idea of features already announced for Windows 8.1 with a demo from Harris. We can see how the lock screen is transformed into a cloud-based picture frame, how motion accents will animate the desktop wallpaper, and how the new, improved snap view allows more freedom for how apps are resized to fill the screen.

Harris also mentions that Windows 8.1 will allow users to open up to four apps on-screen at once, although this feature is not demonstrated.

Many changes have been made to the Windows 8 interface with the 8.1 update, such as new tile sizes and easier ways to sort and manage the start screen layout. Finding apps should also be easier as users need only swipe up to find the full menu, which can then be sorted by name, date installed, most used or category.

The preview version of Windows 8.1 will be available from June 26th with the complete update rolling out to Windows 8 users for free later this year.